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Harnessing ‘water tower’ into ‘power tower’: A small hydropower development study from an Indian prefecture in western Himalayas

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  • Kumar, Deepak
  • Katoch, S.S.

Abstract

Himalayan region is called the ‘water tower of Asia’. This ‘water tower’ is now being harnessed into ‘power tower’ by many Himalayan countries (China, India, Nepal, Bhutan etc.) in the form of small and large hydropower projects. Himachal Pradesh, located in this region is known as ‘power state’ of India. The state has developed well framed policies and guidelines for growth of hydropower sector in the state. It has emerged as role model for identification, allotment and harnessing of small hydropower projects not only in India but in the whole Himalayan region. However, in the recent past, the growth of small hydropower projects is not as impressive as predicted. Local natural resources, ecology and livelihood of the local people are being destroyed in the garb of local development and false promises of employment. Benefits of this so called golden harvest are not being transferred to native people as envisaged. This article presents small hydropower development in a global, Indian and Himachal Pradesh perspective. It expresses in detail the current status, policy guidelines, challenges, initiatives taken by state, future scope and suggestions for smooth development of small hydropower projects in this beautiful, hydro rich hilly state of India. It is concluded that framing of policies favoring sustainable development and their effective implementation at grass-root level (involving all stakeholders) can only set the ball rolling for desired pace of small hydropower development in the state. Bringing of small hydropower projects in the ambit of environmental clearance process has also been advocated.

Suggested Citation

  • Kumar, Deepak & Katoch, S.S., 2014. "Harnessing ‘water tower’ into ‘power tower’: A small hydropower development study from an Indian prefecture in western Himalayas," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 87-101.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:39:y:2014:i:c:p:87-101
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.052
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    4. Kumar Sharma, Ameesh & Thakur, N.S., 2017. "Energy situation, current status and resource potential of run of the river (RoR) large hydro power projects in Jammu and Kashmir: India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 233-251.
    5. Tabi, Andrea & Wüstenhagen, Rolf, 2017. "Keep it local and fish-friendly: Social acceptance of hydropower projects in Switzerland," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 763-773.
    6. Mishra, Mukesh Kumar & Khare, Nilay & Agrawal, Alka Bani, 2015. "Small hydro power in India: Current status and future perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 101-115.
    7. Kumar, Deepak & Katoch, S.S., 2015. "Sustainability suspense of small hydropower projects: A study from western Himalayan region of India," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 220-233.
    8. Hussain, Abid & Sarangi, Gopal K. & Pandit, Anju & Ishaq, Sultan & Mamnun, Nabir & Ahmad, Bashir & Jamil, Muhammad Khalid, 2019. "Hydropower development in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region: Issues, policies and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 446-461.
    9. Kumar Sharma, Ameesh & Thakur, N.S., 2017. "Assessing the impact of small hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir: A study from north-western Himalayan region of India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 679-693.
    10. Kelly-Richards, Sarah & Silber-Coats, Noah & Crootof, Arica & Tecklin, David & Bauer, Carl, 2017. "Governing the transition to renewable energy: A review of impacts and policy issues in the small hydropower boom," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 251-264.
    11. Pang, Mingyue & Zhang, Lixiao & Bahaj, AbuBakr S. & Xu, Kaipeng & Hao, Yan & Wang, Changbo, 2018. "Small hydropower development in Tibet: Insight from a survey in Nagqu Prefecture," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 3032-3040.
    12. Kumar, Deepak & Katoch, S.S., 2015. "Small hydropower development in western Himalayas: Strategy for faster implementation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 571-578.

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